Merthyr 0-2 Cardiff City

Early pre-season run-out proves to be little more than just that as Cardiff ease past a tough, hard-working Merthyr side at Penydarren Park.

A scrappy opening sprang into life after barely 3 minutes when bluebirds talisman Michael Chopra caused panic in the home defence with a quick turn and strong surge into the box, halted by a superbly timed tackle the ball broke to Kevin McNaughton in an advanced position, the right-back claimed he was bundled to the floor as he shaped to shoot however, the referee thought otherwise and correctly ruled play to continue.

Unsurprisingly things continued the lethargic pace expected of game played on a sunny day in the first week of July, momentary bright-spots coming in the form of some precise passing expected of Stephen McPhail and two unsuccessful shots from distance by Chopra and Paul Parry.

It took a full 20 minutes for either goalkeeper to be tested and it was David Forde who was called into action first, tipping over a wonderful 20-yard dipping shot from Merthyr striker Rhys Carpenter.

Neither team managed to create anything meaningful or even looked like doing so for large periods, Merthyr's only glimmer of a chance looked like coming through catching Cardiff out by getting in behind the City back-four which they managed on several occasions but with no end product. The home side did nearly catch Cardiff cold however on the 40 minute mark again it came from a shot from distance; this time Ryan Dorrian struck a viscous left-footed half-volley which whistled past Ford's near post.

For City it was again Chopra who looked most likely to open the scoring, leaving his marker rooted to the spot with a stunning turn on the edge of the box he looked certain to finish only for Tydfil 'keeper Ashley Morris to palm his shot away with a strong hand down to his right, the ball looked to be falling to the oncoming Warren Feeney however Jaime Rewbury scrambled it away to safety at the back post to deny a definite opener and ensure it remained goal-less at the interval.

Half-time Merthyr Tydfil 0 - 0 Cardiff City

Cardiff looked far more confident from the off, following the break, nearly opening the scoring within the opening minutes, however replacement striker Jason Byrne on as a half-time substitute for Feeney scuffed his effort across 'keeper Morris but tamely into his grateful arms.

Cardiff seemed to work up a head of steam following this and were ahead within 5 minutes, again it was Michael Chopra who collected Stephen McPhail's deft chip over the Martyr's back-four to fire home from close-range.

Merthyr Tydfil 0 - 1 CARDIFF CITY(52mins) Michael Chopra

Merthyr re-grouped and struck back strongly and were nearly awarded an immediate reply however again the referee sided with the visitors in denying a positive penalty appeal, this time for hand-ball against Roger Johnson. Merthyr continued to pressure and once again got in behind the City defence, a splitting pass from finding Kalim Ali in space wide on the right however his intended cut-back evaded every on-coming Tydfil player and fell safe.

Cardiff soaked up the pressure and very nearly struck themselves youngster Paul Gallagher bravely challenging out-rushing Ashley Morris to poke the ball goal wards from a Byrne through-ball only to see his dribbling effort strike the outside of the post.

Moments later the bluebirds did double their, this time Chopra collected an intricate pass from Byrne on the right of the area, steadied himself and dispatched his shot into the far corner.

Merthyr Tydfil 0 - 2 CARDIFF CITY(67mins) Michael Chopra

Chopra didn't have to wait long for his hat-trick chance, within a minute Paul Parry intercepted a lose pass to sprint down the left-flank and find an un-marked Chopra 8-yards from goal, he attempted to round the out-rushing Morris before sliding the ball to his right only for Jason Byrne's side-footed effort to be blocked on the line by two convening Merthyr defenders.

As the game petered to a close the only action either sets of fans had to cheer-on was the most polite, un-assuming streaker ever, only semi-naked he even stayed out of the way of the action, unfortunately even he like the game got boring, severely out-staying his welcome by returning twice more, this time naked he even attempted to full down the shorts of former Swansea City player Sean Cronin to endear himself further to the travelling fans.

Full-time Merthyr Tydfil 0 - 2 CARDIFF CITY

CARDIFF CITY starting line-up: David Forde, Ashley Buswell, Kevin McNaughton, Darren Purse, Roger Johnson, Paul Parry, Stephen McPhail, Jack Carlisle, Kevin Cooper, Michael Chopra, Warren Feeney

Subs: Jason Byrne (45mins) Aaron Ramsey (45mins) Bradley Middleton (45mins) Paul Gallagher (57mins) Travis Wheatle (65mins) Josh McGuiness (68mins)

Merthyr Tydfil starting line-up: Ashley Morris, Sean Cronin, Tarrant Watkins, Marcus Griffiths, Andrew Thomas, Ryan Dorian, Kristian Diamond, Jaime Rewbury, Dean Clarke, Kalim Ali, Rhys Carpenter

Source: Cardiff City - The Official Site